BuddySync: Thinking beyond cell phones to create a third-generation wireless application for US teenagers

Abstract

This work formed part of the research carried out by Ericsson and the US design consultancy GVO, to investigate reasons why youth culture in the US was slower to adopt mobile communication technology in comparison to their European and Japanese peers. The results of this research led to the development of a new mobile communication concept, BuddySync.

In the initial research, two approaches were taken. The first approach examined the structural factors that affected the adoption of mobile phones in US teens. The second approach examined the cultural issues that affected the mobile communication habits and desires of US teens in comparison with the desires of teens in other countries. Ethnographic research methods were used to study youth culture with regards to mobile communications in the US, UK and Japan.

As a consequence of the initial research, the design of the BuddySync mobile communication concept was explored. As part of the research, several different interactive prototypes were developed and tested with the teenagers.

The research approach (based on culture-centred design) was also used as a case study inside Ericsson Research as a new approach to product research and development. As a result, the research led to the same approach being used for the research and development of a new 3G mobile phone inside Ericsson.

All this research was led by Loudon with the support of Sacher and Yu for user research and concept development.

The methods used in this research work closely matched the work being undertaken by Gill. The outcome being that Gill and Loudon joined forces at PDR to explore this area of research further. Examples of the resultant work between Gill and Loudon (see Gill outputs 2 and 3).